1 2
Dr. Hess
Dr. Hess SuperDork
2/16/12 10:10 a.m.

You don't think the 10 MPG is going to put a crimp in a 16 YO's budget? That's gonna come to about $0.40/mile to drive.

nervousdog
nervousdog HalfDork
2/16/12 11:23 a.m.

I had a '74 Impala 2-door as my first car. I could easily take 6 friends with me so just remember that. If you think he'll be ok without ABS and airbags then go for it. Honestly, I never had trouble driving it through Michigan winters.

They make so little horsepower mostly due to all of the smog stuff from the early 70's. You should be able to get more power out of it just by doing the standard SBC stuff ie: intake, 4bbl carb, mild cams, etc.

$3400? Is that what they go for now? Mine was $250. Of course, when I bought mine it was a used car, not a "classic".

Funny note: I also had a '92 Tracker like the one in the second pic. Mine was blue.

Klayfish
Klayfish HalfDork
2/16/12 11:26 a.m.

Cool car, I'm sure a teenager would love it for that reason alone. Simple car, endless potential for fun. Plus, it's got a huge back seat...not that a 16 year old would have a need for such things...

As for the safety, it would be OK if it hit a small car. But it will definitely lose in a head on fight with an Accord or similar type car. Technology has changed dramatically in the past 40 years. I see wrecked cars every day. When a really old one comes across my desk, it's usually bad results for the driver.

novaderrik
novaderrik SuperDork
2/16/12 7:08 p.m.
curtis73 wrote: All I can say is this... I bought a 73 Impala Station Wagon with 58k original, a 454, A/C and that's it. Aside from the 8mpg, I would give my left nut to own that car again. What a big soft boat. Went cross-country twice with it. Make a deal on it, buy it. B-body parts for chevy are mostly interchangeable from 71 to 97. Think 96 Impala SS.... :)

you sure about the parts swapping stuff? i haven't looked very closely under one of these old B bodies, but i'm pretty sure they were different before they downsized them in 77 and started building them off the chassis that was the mid size A bodies from 73-77..

1 2

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
nrZoGsjjXQIiag7JAapNNv2zgLOSujfBSyXjF5GtQJsu1eOmCqzSElBbGD556Vcj